After a 'lost' season, Granville's Costa gets another chance in Licking-Muskingum game
GRANVILLE — The Licking County football all-stars were going through their paces Wednesday, getting down Granville's offense on the turf of the Blue Aces' Walter Hodges Stadium.
One of their players, however, had a little extra spring in his step.
Dominick Costa was forced to watch from the sidelines as his Granville teammates went on a run all the way to the Division III state semifinals, missing basically the entire season with a torn labrum. He would have been a key contributor for the Blue Aces, at both wide receiver and in the secondary.
But the 40th Licking-Muskingum All-Star Game, to be played at 7 p.m. June 17 at Tri-Valley's Jack Anderson Stadium, has afforded Costa a final opportunity to shine, as Licking aims to even the series at 20-20.
"Coach (Wes) Schroeder told me about two months ago, in the middle of track season, and I've been excited every day since," said Costa, who will play cornerback at Ohio Wesleyan. "It's a lot of fun, building relationships with these players. I know a lot of them, but some I don't know."
"He also missed a big portion of his junior season, between Covid and injuries," said Schroeder, whose Granville staff is coaching the local all-stars. "We had high hopes for him this year, as a starting corner and receiver. We're really happy for him, and glad to be able to coach him for one last game."
Quarterbacks Cole Canter of NC and Johnstown's Joe Sahr have plenty of weapons, including Granville All-Ohio running back Devon Haley. Costa will be part of a talented receiving corps that also includes Heath's Reece Huber (7 touchdowns), Jacob Climer from Licking Heights (6 touchdowns), Northridge's J,D. Miller (over 1,200 yards rushing), Brock Wygle of Utica, Matthew Labuda of Licking Valley and Newark's Terrill Williams.
And also, Williams' 6-foot-5, 265-pound teammate Ka'Mar Davis, who caught 32 passes and three touchdowns for the Wildcats.
"It's not just his size, but he can run and catch," Schroeder said of Davis. "Ka'Mar is fun. He's hilarious, and he brings energy and life to our practices, every day."
"One door is closing, and another door is opening," said Davis, who will play either tight end or defensive end at Alderson Broaddus in West Virginia. "It's time to even up the score in this game. We have a bunch of dogs on this team. Heath has dogs, Granville has dogs, Newark Catholic has dogs. And we have a kicker (Northridge's Conner Everts) who's kicking it 60 yards."
Davis really likes the Granville offense that he's learning.
"I like it a lot," he said. "It gives you a college football feeling. We just have to have discipline, knowing our keys and our plays."
Licking County has narrowed Muskingum's lead in the series by winning two consecutive games, including 29-18 last year at Heath, and three of the last four. The locals think they have what it takes to keep the momentum going.
"They're a fun group to be around, and they're working hard," Schroeder said. "They enjoy being around each other, and we enjoy being around them."
Players and coaches alike engaged in a game of "speedball" at the end of practice that had them running all over the field. "We're not going to run them, but it's a way of keeping them moving and providing some conditioning," Schroeder explained.
"We're really talented, and I know the other team definitely has a lot of good athletes, but I think we have the dudes to get it done," Costa said. "We have fun, but we know when to get serious, and we want to win. So we have a good mixture of that."
Licking is practicing from 3 to 5 p.m. through this Friday, and next Monday through Thursday, at Granville.
All tickets for the game will be $5, at the gate. Starting this year, Licking's MVP trophy will be named after Newark's Paul "Hoss" Starr, while the name of Sheridan's Paul Culver Jr. will adorn the Muskingum Valley MVP award.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking-Muskingum all-star game gives Granville's Costa another chance
